It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Dennis Dale Kinsel, 89, of Paducah, Kentucky and formerly of Brookville, Ohio. Dennis was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He met his Lord and Savior on December 28, 2025, after courageously battling a long illness.
Dennis Kinsel, born in 1936, grew up in Brookville, Ohio, where he attended Brookville Schools. He graduated from Brookville High School in 1954 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University in 1958. He later completed his master’s degree at Xavier University in 1969. He married Janet Ann Devine in 1958, and together they raised their four children in Brookville while actively attending Trinity Lutheran Church.
Dennis dedicated 31 years of his life to Brookville Schools, where he made a lasting and meaningful impact on generations of students. Though he taught Driver’s Education and General Science, Dennis was best known as the much-loved Physical Education teacher at Westbrook School. He also coached track and in 1964 he launched the school’s cross-country program. He founded the Brookville Cross-Country Invitational which has grown into one of the largest and oldest cross-country meets in Ohio, with hundreds of runners and dozens of teams.
He served as the school athletic director from 1970 - 1978 expanding Brookville’s athletic program from seven sports to fifteen during his tenure, and with the passage of Title IX in 1972 he was an enthusiastic supporter of expanding women’s sports in the schools.
Dennis served as Trustee and Treasurer of the Brookville High School Alumni Association for four years and was also Chairman of the Athletic Council. He played an instrumental role in the creation of the Brookville Area Schools Hall of Fame, which was founded to recognize and celebrate the positive accomplishments and contributions of Brookville Schools alumni. A charter member of the Hall of Fame, Dennis served on the selection committee for seven years and was inducted in 2002 in recognition of his meritorious service to Brookville School athletics.
From 1995 to 2001 he spent countless hours researching and helping to create what is now the Brookville High School Athletic Hall of Champions, a hallway at the school lined with memorabilia, pictures and plaques of Brookville’s outstanding athletes.
After the tragic passing of his first wife, Janet Ann (Devine) Kinsel, in 1986, Dennis married again in 1987 to Mollie Kathleen (Rowe, Ratliff) Kinsel, with whom he shared many happy and blessed years. In 2015 they moved to Paducah, Kentucky to be closer to Kathleen’s daughter and her family. He and Kathleen became active members of the Reidland United Methodist Church where they met many wonderful, faithful friends and enjoyed participation in the OWLs ministry. He enjoyed exercising and working puzzles with others at the McCracken County Senior Center. He enjoyed playing golf with friends and family. He was an avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes. He enjoyed attending grandchildren’s sporting and academic events. He easily made friends with neighbors and was a Christian witness through action to all he met. He was mild mannered but always had a joke to tell.
A devoted Christian, a lifelong athlete, and a proud Eagle Scout, Dennis embodied commitment, compassion, and integrity throughout his life. He valued fairness, teamwork, and the spirit of good sportsmanship. His good humor and loving presence will be missed by family and his many good friends.
Dennis is preceded in death by his first wife Janet Ann (Devine) Kinsel; his parents, Ada Pauline (Kreitzer) Kinsel and Orville Dale Kinsel; his aunt, Marjorie Kinsel and his step-daughter Merry Melina Ratliff.
He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen Kinsel; his four children: Randall Dale Kinsel and wife Barbara Kinsel, Pamela Rae (Kinsel) Kasai and husband Jerry Kasai, Paula Louise Kinsel, and Rick Alan Kinsel.
Step-daughter: Leah (Ratliff) Landis and husband David Landis
Grandchildren: Elizabeth (Pollitt) Imwalle, Jessie Pollitt, Jaclyn Kasai, Nicole Cummins, Jacob Landis, and Ethan Landis
Great-grandchildren: Oaklynn Imwalle and Collin Davis
Dennis will be cremated in accordance to his wishes. Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2025 at 1:00 with visitation hours for family and friends from 11:00-1:00 at Reidland United Methodist Church. Pastor Katie Minnis will be officiating.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Reidland United Methodist Church in Dennis’ memory.
A memorial service for Dennis will be held in Brookville at a future date TBD.
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